Researchers at the University of Oxford are looking for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to help better understand changes in the brain occurring during motor skill learning. This may aid the development of new therapies (e.g. neurorehabilitation, medicines) to enhance brain plasticity and recovery after brain damage. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) are brain scans that allow us to see which parts of the brain are important for motor skill learning and how they are connected to each other. These scans are safe and painless and do not involve any needles or injections. The study will consist of 3-week practice of a simple motor sequence at home and 3 MRI scans (1 fMRI and 1 DTI scan at the beginning and 1fMRI at the end of the study). Each scan would take about an hour. Participants would be asked to lie still in a scanner and perform a simple hand movement task. The home training would take 15 minutes/day for 5 days/week.


Who are they looking for?

Right handed, native English-speaking people with a diagnosis of MS aged 18 to 60 who have suffered from a relapse during the course of MS. If you are interested and would like more information please contact Dr Valentina Tomassini at the FMRIB Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, on:

Telephone: 01865 222 797

Email: valentt@fmrib.ox.ac.uk